AJ's Food Roots

AJ’s father is from Penang, of British and Spanish blood with a touch of Burmese; his mother is of German and Dutch heritage from Sri Lanka. Theirs was a family that cooked, explored favours and created recipes together.

To this potent mix, AJ constantly added to his culinary palatte as he travelled throughout Asia for work and play. In 1996, he reached
an epiphany in the Spice Market of Cochin when he fully appreciated that the core favours of all the food of his childhood and youth, indeed the spectrum of Southeast Asian and Sri Lankan cuisines, would be
impossible without the herbs and spices traded from the 14th century.
From then, he has adapted, explored and created numerous dishes, focusing on the subtle and complex tastes derived from flavouring ingredients of the region. His food is redolent, familiar yet new and exciting. This is why he is in demand as a chef-for-hire, and
his mother readily admits that AJ’s cuisine has reached “a higher level”.

Now, the recipes of AJ’s signature dishes and more, once shared with discerning diners scribbled on paper, is presented here clearly and exactly so that all home cooks can prepare and share the exciting and
memorable food from AJ’s own kitchen.